By now, it’s no secret that the current global pandemic has shifted the way our society functions—at least for the time being. More and more people are staying indoors, practicing social distancing and generally not physically interacting one-on-one with others outside of their regular social circle. Because of this, some people have opted to put off hiring an interior designer since they’re wary of in-home consultations and visits during the pandemic.

Others have discovered the beauty of online interior design (also commonly referred to as “e-design” or “virtual interior design”). While e-design and online interior design consulting services have existed pre-COVID-19, they’ve now become the go-to way for interior design firms to offer their interior design services—and for good reason!

what is e-design?

E-design is exactly what it sounds like—Interior design services offered entirely online! Online interior design services share many similarities with traditional interior design services (including deliverables such as inspiration boards, design boards with 3D renderings, floor plans, item sourcing and more). There are some major differences. Instead of meeting with your interior designer in-person, you’ll be meeting with them online through virtual calls and consultations. Another major difference is that you’ll need to put in a little bit of legwork yourself in the e-design process, such as handling installation and taking photos and measurements of your home yourself. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing! It often results in a lower cost compared to traditional full-service interior design.

E-design is a great option for full projects or gaining expert advice on aspects of your project, such as choosing the color palette or space planning.

If you’re looking to hire an interior designer, but aren’t quite ready to let a new face into your home, virtual interior design may be the answer to your problems. Here are MOOD Design + Build’s top four reasons to use online interior design services in the era of COVID-19:

1. e-design is convenient

Probably the most obvious benefit of online interior design services is that they’re, well, entirely online! And nothing’s more convenient than the internet. While there are many benefits to meeting physically with your interior designer, e-design allows for much more flexibility in both your and your designer’s schedules. One of those benefits being that you get to design at your own pace. In the busy, fast-paced world we live in, this type of flexibility to go at your own speed can be invaluable.

Just like traditional interior design services, the first step in the e-design process will generally be for you to fill out an online form/questionnaire so that the designer can get a general idea of what you’re looking for in your project. From there, you’ll work together with your designer to schedule consultations at your own convenience throughout the entire design process.

No more stressing over preparing to have your designer visit your home. Want to sit in your pajamas and sip on a glass of wine while you’re conferencing with your designer? No one can stop (or judge) you! Need to contact your designer for a quick, off-the-cuff question? Hit them up via phone or email, and they’ll be right there to help you! When it comes to interior design, there’s just no beating the virtual option when it comes to convenience. From creating mood boards to visualizing your space in 3D, the internet makes designing online incredibly simple and stress-free.

2. there’s no physical contact with online interior design

By now, Zoom has become a household name. Everyone’s using it or at least has used it during their time working from home. Video conferencing apps like Zoom and other online communication tools have made it simpler than ever to connect with your designer in a personal, real-time setting even if you’re miles apart from them physically. Online interior design means no physical contact with your designer. Ever. So if you’re worried about letting someone new into your home while coronavirus cases surge, this aspect of e-design is a huge plus.

After you’ve submitted your online form that tells the designer about what design services you’re looking for, your interior design professional will contact you to set up an initial online video consultation to discuss goals and deliverables for the project. Because the designer is not in your home with you, they will also ask you to provide them with photos and measurements of each of the rooms that they’ll be designing for you.

With online interior design services, you truly get the best of both worlds—No physical contact that puts you or your designer at risk of becoming sick and 100% one-to-one communication and collaboration with your professional online interior designer.

3. e-design is affordable

Because your interior designer won’t need to drive to and from your home for physical consultations, virtual interior design services can often be far less costly than traditional interior design services. Based on your budget and the scope of the project (ie. how many rooms in your home you want to be designed), your designer will help you get a general idea of what the cost of the project will be. Then, after the initial consultation, they’ll send you an invoice letting you know the full cost.

Another reason why e-design is so affordable is that you get to be in the driver’s seat, doing some extra legwork that the designer would otherwise take care of if they were in your home such as taking pictures of your space, measuring rooms, and purchasing and arranging furniture and decor. On the surface, this may seem like a lot of hassle for you, but the reality is that it’s completely worth it since you’ll be getting direct step-by-step guidance from your professional interior designer. And you get to embrace your inner DIYer at the same time!

4. you don’t need to rely on a local interior design firm

The last, and possibly most persuading, benefit of e-design is that you get the pick whichever interior design firm you please. Are you a New Yorker who found a Chicago interior design firm that you really jive with? No problem! With e-design, you don’t have to worry about living 800 miles away from your designer.

You get to work with them in a one-on-one virtual setting while receiving nearly all the benefits of having them help you design your home in-person. It’s a win-win scenario! However, before you dive headfirst into the interior designer search, make sure that you learn how to choose the right virtual interior designer for you.

final thoughts on online interior design services

Whether you’re looking to design your own home office, renovate your kitchen or decorate your living room, e-design offers everything you need to fulfill your interior design dreams at home, on your own time and at your own pace. So don’t put off designing the home of your dreams. Hire a virtual interior designer today!

E-Design: Top Four Reasons To Use Online Interior Design Services During Covid-19